Border Force workers are to launch a series of strikes over Christmas in a bitter dispute over pay, pensions and jobs. The Public and Commercial Services union announced its members working at Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham and Cardiff airports will strike for eight days from December 23 to New Year’s Eve.
The union has already announced strikes at the Department for Work and Pensions, the Highways Agency and among driving examiners. Around 1,000 Border Force workers will strike on December 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30 and 31.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said the staff work at passport control so the strike will have a “significant impact”. He warned the Government against bringing in the military to cover for the strikes, saying there was not enough time to train them properly.
Mr Serwotka has met Government ministers but he said they were refusing to increase a 2% pay rise. “They keep saying their door is open, but it is a very strange door because there’s nothing behind it.”
He warned that the PCS will escalate industrial action in the new year unless the deadlock is broken. Mr Serwotka also raised the prospect of co-ordinated action with other unions involved in disputes. He said: “The Government can stop these strikes tomorrow if it puts money on the table.
“Like so many workers, our members are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. They are desperate. They are being told there is no money for them, while they watch ministers giving out Government contracts worth billions of pounds to their mates. Some sections of the media have accused us of playing politics with these strikes. Let me be clear: our dispute is with the employer. We will fight to improve our members’ pay, terms and conditions regardless of who is in Downing Street.”
A Heathrow spokesperson said: “Our priority is to ensure passengers get through the border safely and as quickly as possible. We are working closely with airlines and Border Force on mitigation plans for potential strike action by Border Force officers and these plans will now be implemented for the notified days.
“The Home Office advises that immigration and customs checks may take longer during peak times on strike days, and Heathrow will support Border Force to minimise these impacts with the aim of processing passengers through the border as efficiently as possible. Passengers are advised to check their flight status with their airline before travelling. We encourage all parties to resolve this dispute quickly.”
The airport pointed out that the workers involved in the strikes are employed by the Home Office, not Heathrow.
